Armenian Architecture, Churches and Monasteries

[TomServo]

Vahanavank Being Restored

Kapan, June 30, Noyan Tapan. Restoration works started in the historic territory of Vahanavank, the marz of Syunik. The state allocated 65 mln drams (about 155 thousand U.S. dollars) to restore this historic monument of the 9th century.

Famous historian, professor Grigor Grigorian who has implemented excavations in the territory of the monument since 1966, participates in the construction works. It is envisaged to finish the work till the end of this year. According to G.Grigorian, restored Vahanavank will become a holy place.

http://www.armeniadiaspora.net/adc/news.asp?id=1212

[armenica]

Re: Armenian Architecture, Churches and Monasteries

Armenica, I was in Tbilisi, Georgia two months ago...your churches look so much like Georgian churches and monasteries, and I honestly have a hard time telling them apart.

Well, there are quite a lot research done in this field, among others by Jacques de Morgan, Taxier, Charles Diehl; one of the most prominent of the, the art expert, Josef Strzygowski has done an extensive research about the Armenian Archtecture and it's influence on Christian architecture, not only in the region, but also on that of Byzantine and West.

http://www.armenica.org/cgi-bin/history/en/getHistory.cgi?7==98==Strzygowski

"Strzygowski writes 91 that it was from Armenia that the construction of domes came to Constantinople, Greece and the Balkan countries, from whence it continued to Italy and southern France, and on, via the valleys of the Rhone and the Rhine, to reach central Europe. Moreover, it was Armenia that, from the 5th and the 6th centuries, inspired the finest styles of historical Byzantine buildings. According to Strzygowski, it was in the Armenian architectural school that master builders created the church of St Sophia. Strzygowski claims that this unique piece of art with its beautiful domes (spoken by Procopius as being built with such precision and delicacy that it is does not rest on the ground, but rather is suspended from the sky) is a truly Armenian (rein armenisch) church."

The same goes for the spreading of Christianity and Christian art and Architecture from Armenia to Georgia.

For more information search on "Strzygowski" on http://www.armenica.org/cgi-bin/history/en/search.cgi

[armenica]

Re: Armenian Architecture, Churches and Monasteries

Yes, as you say 'quite newly renovated'. The fact that this site, and zwartnots, are still on the list of UNESCO monuments just testifies to the utter lack of concern that UNESCO has for Armenian art. (Also displayed over the fate of the Julfa graveyard). The vandalism at Noravank (or, as you call it, the 'renovation') breaks every rule on the treatment of monuments that those on the UNESCO list should follow.

I don't agree on that stand at all. One of the main reasons why Zvartnots still hasn't been restored is because of the fact that the architecture experts and historians are not fully agree about the original plan of the cathedral. Not forgetting the cost, lack of project management for such a large scale deed etc.

While creating the new section I realised that one of my current major aspirations will be to some day see the Zvartnots Cathedral in its original majestic state. I don't think that UNESCO would mind restoring Zvartnots to its original at all.

[Armenian]

Re: Armenian Architecture, Churches and Monasteries

I don't agree on that stand at all. One of the main reasons why Zvartnots still hasn't been restored is because of the fact that the architecture experts and historians are not fully agree about the original plan of the cathedral. Not forgetting the cost, lack of project management for such a large scale deed etc.

While creating the new section I realised that one of my current major aspirations will be to some day see the Zvartnots Cathedral in its original majestic state. I don't think that UNESCO would mind restoring Zvartnots to its original at all.

Please don't mind him, he is our ennoying pet. Continue doing your great work, and God bless.

[TomServo]

Re: Armenian Architecture, Churches and Monasteries

Well, there are quite a lot research done in this field, among others by Jacques de Morgan, Taxier, Charles Diehl; one of the most prominent of the, the art expert, Josef Strzygowski has done an extensive research about the Armenian Archtecture and it's influence on Christian architecture, not only in the region, but also on that of Byzantine and West.

http://www.armenica.org/cgi-bin/history/en/getHistory.cgi?7==98==Strzygowski

"Strzygowski writes 91 that it was from Armenia that the construction of domes came to Constantinople, Greece and the Balkan countries, from whence it continued to Italy and southern France, and on, via the valleys of the Rhone and the Rhine, to reach central Europe. Moreover, it was Armenia that, from the 5th and the 6th centuries, inspired the finest styles of historical Byzantine buildings. According to Strzygowski, it was in the Armenian architectural school that master builders created the church of St Sophia. Strzygowski claims that this unique piece of art with its beautiful domes (spoken by Procopius as being built with such precision and delicacy that it is does not rest on the ground, but rather is suspended from the sky) is a truly Armenian (rein armenisch) church."

The same goes for the spreading of Christianity and Christian art and Architecture from Armenia to Georgia.

For more information search on "Strzygowski" on http://www.armenica.org/cgi-bin/history/en/search.cgi

You forgot to mention that he was anti-Semitic, or at least anti-Hrya.

[Nemesis]

Re: Armenian Architecture, Churches and Monasteries

You forgot to mention that he was anti-Semitic, or at least anti-Hrya.

So what?

[TomServo]

Re: Armenian Architecture, Churches and Monasteries

So what?

.

[bell-the-cat]

Re: Armenian Architecture, Churches and Monasteries

I don't think that UNESCO would mind restoring Zvartnots to its original at all.

You prpbably don't understand the criteria that must be filled and the strict obilgations that must follow the placing of a monument on UNESCO's Global Heritage list. Neither, alas, does Armenia. There are strict rules that the 'host' country must follow. I doubt that Armenia (or 'Armenian') even understands the concept of 'host country'.

[bell-the-cat]

Re: Armenian Architecture, Churches and Monasteries

Strzygowski claims....

Alas for Strzygowski, Strzygowski's claims often exceeded his grasp on reality. I have just visited Alahan - whose famous East Church Strzygowski blindly argued was roofed by a stone dome, when it quite clearly can be seen by any observer that it was not!

[armenica]

Re: Armenian Architecture, Churches and Monasteries

You prpbably don't understand the criteria that must be filled and the strict obilgations that must follow the placing of a monument on UNESCO's Global Heritage list. Neither, alas, does Armenia. There are strict rules that the 'host' country must follow. I doubt that Armenia (or 'Armenian') even understands the concept of 'host country'.

If I had to choose to restore a architectural wonder to its original grace or have it listed on the UNESCO world heritage list, I would not hesitate a micro second to go for alternative 1.